The rain might have been pouring outside the Council on Aging’s River House but inside the atmosphere was strictly sunshine as nearly 200 people gathered for the annual Centenarian Luncheon on Thursday.

Here’s a gathering where being 80 isn’t worth a lifted eyebrow and even 89 is a bit suspect.

Pat Laurencelle is one of those 89ers, but come the first week of June she’ll turn 90. “I’m practicing right now,” Laurencelle said.

Her friend, Rosemary O’Brien is 95, although on July 8 she’ll be 96.

“We’re buddies on the beach,” explained Laurencelle of their friendship. Although they walk a mile or two a day, she claims their trek has “diminished slightly.”

O’Brien, who was born in Wisconsin, did her nurse’s training at St. Joseph’s in Chicago. “I came down here as a bride and worked quite some time at Flagler Hospital” and as an industrial nurse for what was then Fairchild Aviation.

Laurencelle, who holds a doctorate, was the first program director of occupational therapy at Indiana University’s School of Health and Rehabilitative Services. She’s just back from giving the inaugural lecture for an endowed series.

She taught at several universities including University of Florida and while there bought property in St. Augustine. When she decided to retire after spending a lifetime working in the Midwest, the kid who “grew up as a beach rat on Long Island” wanted to settle on the Atlantic Coast and in the Nation’s Oldest City.

They take the aging process in their stride.

Laurencelle claims they both get by with “bravado and a lot of help from friends. Or a lot of friends who help.”

O’Brien, who is now a widow, developed diabetes at 90 and then macular degeneration that led to her being ruled legally blind.

“I was 23 until I got to be 80. After 80 I became 35, and I’m working to get to be 36,” O’Brien said. She “reads” thanks to “talking books,” and her tastes, said Laurencelle, tend toward blood-and-thunder and shoot ’em ups, an assessment O’Brien happily agreed with.

Both are fans of the COA and the services offered.

Laurencelle praised Cathy Brown, the outgoing COA executive director, for her leadership. Once she came on board, “everything just flowered after that. … I’m delighted to be here to clap for her.”

Brown has announced plans to retire in June, turning over day-to-day operations to Becky Yanni as managing director. After a sabbatical, she plans to work on the prevention and treatment of dementia. On Thursday she was at the luncheon working her usual magic of making everyone feel both special and welcome.

O’Brien noted she had to give up her car because of her legal blindness, but that was when she discovered COA’s Sunshine Bus Service. She spoke of the kindness and consideration of the drivers, adding that “nobody” had better criticize them within her hearing.

Many of those attending the River House gathering came with sons and daughters, friends and caretakers.

Most were born in other places including Wisconsin, New York, Panama, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, Canada, Italy and Virginia.

Others were born in St. Augustine or have lived here so long they seem to be natives.

In age, they ranged from 89 to 103.

Sadie Carter, 99, was at her first event. “I got the invitation (in the past), but I would miss out the riding.”

Mary Ehrgott was having an extra special day — she was celebrating her 97th birthday.

Edward Kent, 95, said he got there thanks to “young friend” Randy Andrews. And Andrews was quick to mention Kent’s longtime involvement with the Boy Scouts of America (Troop 345) and as chief of maintenance at several of the area forts including Fort Matanzas and Fort Caroline.

John and Audrey Baynes, he turns 93 in October and she turns 93 in June, were among several couples at the event. Their daughter, Kathryn Machinzki, noted they have been married almost 70 years “and they’ve been friends since they were 2.”

Every one of them had a story to tell.

Asked about a metal bracelet bearing an Air Force insignia, Ralph Vatalaro, 95, noted he’d been a “U.S. Air Force pilot in three wars. … World War II, Korea and Vietnam. I retired to St. Augustine.”

Hall Young, 98, spends part of his time in St. Augustine and part in the town where he grew up — Minnesota, N.C. “I was born and raised there. … Bat your eye and you’ll miss it.”

Ellen Culpepper, who can claim 100.9 years, lived much of her life in St. Augustine and Palatka with a stint in Tampa. Her husband was a pharmacist who at one time was part owner of a drugstore in Palatka. The couple had two sons and two daughters. Pinned to her aqua jacket was a black-and-white pin with a picture of her at 16. The pin read: “Celebrating 100 years Ellen Culpepper.”

While some of the celebrants used walkers or wheelchairs, others were more active.

Jerome Henderson, 96, noted he played golf three days a week.

Bob Long, 97, came with friend Dana Guy, who claimed, “I’m the blonde of the day.” Long replied, “You can never tell what will happen tomorrow,” and Guy answered, “Tomorrow he could be with a brunette.”

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Love the photos of the seniors! We are so fortunate to have the COA in our community and kudos to Cathy Brown for having the vision to grow the COA and all of the companies within to serve the community.